Surviving Disappearance, Re-Imagining & Humanizing Native Peoples: Matika Wilbur at TEDxSeattle

Summary

In this heartfelt presentation, a speaker from the Swinomish and Tulalip tribes shares the importance of reshaping Native American representation in media and culture. Through personal stories and photographs from her Project 562, she highlights the strength, diversity, and modernity of Indigenous communities. She discusses the harmful stereotypes that persist, the impact of these portrayals on self-esteem, and the ongoing struggles for sovereignty. Ultimately, the message is about survival, resilience, and the shared responsibility to care for the Earth and one another.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Native American representation in media is limited and stereotypical, often showing them as spiritual or impoverished, which affects their self-esteem and public perception.
• 🎥 From 1990 to 2000, out of 5,868 blockbuster films, only 12 featured Native Americans, usually portraying them in a limited, stereotypical manner.
• 💡 Stereotypes in media about Native Americans negatively impact their self-image, while simultaneously boosting the self-esteem of their white counterparts.
• 📸 Project 562 is an initiative to photograph every indigenous tribe in the United States, aiming to present positive, modern role models for Native Americans.
• 🚶‍♂️ The story of Leon Grant, an Omaha Indian, highlights perseverance as he walked 49 days to pursue an education, eventually establishing American Indian Centers across the country.
• 💬 Many Native Americans, like Matika's cousin Anna, still experience racism and segregation in daily life, leading to feelings of hopelessness about change.
• 🔎 Tattoos like Marva Jones' '111' symbolize strength, identity, and a connection to indigenous history, though they often provoke mixed reactions from outsiders.
• 🌊 The Paiute people's long-standing struggle for water rights exemplifies the ongoing challenges Native tribes face regarding sovereignty and land rights.
• 🎓 The Zuni tribe’s decision to establish their own school district is part of a broader effort to rebuild and control indigenous education systems from within their communities.
• 👣 The project highlights diverse stories of Native Americans, focusing on their resilience, modern identities, and deep connection to their cultural heritage.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main message in the script?

The speaker emphasizes the need to reimagine how Native Americans are perceived, particularly through media, by highlighting their modern achievements, countering stereotypes, and promoting Native sovereignty and Nation building.

What are some of the common stereotypes of Native Americans portrayed in media according to the speaker?

The speaker notes that Native Americans are often portrayed as spiritual, in tune with nature, impoverished, beaten down by society, or in conflict with whites. Positive portrayals, such as professionals like photographers, musicians, teachers, or doctors, are largely absent.

How does the portrayal of Native Americans in media affect Native youth and their white counterparts?

When Native youth see stereotypical depictions, they report lower self-esteem and depression about their potential. White counterparts, on the other hand, report feeling elevated self-esteem when exposed to these same images.

What is Project 562, and what is its purpose?

Project 562 is the speaker’s photographic endeavor to capture images of all indigenous nations in the United States. Its purpose is to create positive indigenous role models from this century and counteract negative media portrayals of Native Americans.

What is the significance of Leon Grant's story?

Leon Grant, an Omaha Indian, pursued education on his own by walking 49 days to Phoenix, Arizona, where he put himself through various levels of schooling. His story represents resilience, as he later established American Indian Centers across the country to improve conditions for Native people.

How does Anna, the speaker's cousin, feel about racism in America?

Anna believes racism still exists and expresses her frustration and sadness, particularly highlighting segregation in spaces like the lunchroom, where she feels racial divisions are still evident.

What is the cultural and personal significance of Marva's 111 tattoo?

Marva's 111 tattoo symbolizes her commitment to her indigenous identity and the continuation of her ancestors' message. It also signifies her courage and strength, as well as her dedication to preserving her culture despite societal judgments.

What historical struggle does Paul Chavez’s story highlight?

Paul Chavez's story sheds light on the Paiute tribe's long-standing battle for their water rights. The tribe had created intricate irrigation systems long before Los Angeles existed, but after the Indian Wars, white settlers took over these waterworks. The Paiute are still fighting in court for these rights.

What does the quote from Starflower Montoya’s grandmother, 'You have to wear your moccasin on one foot, and your tennis shoe on the other,' mean?

The quote symbolizes the need for Native Americans to balance their traditional heritage with the demands of modern society. It reflects the dual identity many Native people must navigate in contemporary life.

What message did Rex Tolusi, from the Havasupai tribe, want to share with people?

Rex Tolusi wanted to remind people that all human beings come from the same Mother Earth, and that our shared responsibility is to care for her. He emphasized that Native people have survived, and that this survival carries important lessons for all humanity.